Fight continues against wildfires in Chile

Since early this morning, some 5,000 firefighters, police, forest rangers, soldiers, sailors and civil defense workers have been fighting wildfires in the hilltop towns of Valparaiso, a picturesque port city in Chile.

According to news reports, an estimated 11,000 people are reported homeless and more than 2,500 homes destroyed. As of yesterday, the death toll has risen to 15. Another 700 or more people are on stand-by, ready to evacuate due to shifting winds that threaten the area. Flames, according to fire officials, first erupted in a forested ravine on the outskirts of Valparaiso. Flying embers have since quickly spread into the hills due to strong winds.

Fire officials have also reported that the fires have been so hot they have created their own fierce winds, spreading flames that have consumed a few neighborhoods. Elsewhere, homes stand untouched but remain in danger from still more flying embers.